Wales will be based in Britanny at Euro 2016 this summer.
Chris Coleman’s squad will stay in the coastal resort of Dinard, which is known as the ‘Cannes of the North’ with its beaches and mild climate making it a popular holiday destination.
Gareth Bale and company will stay at the Novotel Thalassa Dinard, a spa resort which has hosted top European teams such as Paris St Germain and Bordeaux and will also be used by the France national team later this year.
The resort boasts an on-site fitness centre that includes three indoor swimming pools, steam room, gym and recuperation facilities. Wales will train at nearby Dinard FC.
Origi sidelined
Liverpool striker Divock Origi is set for a month on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee problem as the club’s injury woes continue, British media reported yesterday.
The Belgium international last played in the 1-0 win over Leicester City on December 26 and was expected to be back for today’s Premier League clash against leaders Arsenal.
The 20-year-old Origi, who has scored four goals in 16 appearances, is set to miss at least five league matches, the FA Cup third-round replay against Exeter and the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Stoke.
Palermo name Schelotto as coach
Serie A side Palermo have named Argentine Guillermo Schelotto as their third coach of the season after firing Davide Ballardini, who fell out with the team.
Ballardini, who had been in charge for just seven games, did not coach Palermo when they beat Verona 1-0 away on Sunday in a key relegation battle.
Zamparini has seen 30 coaching changes in his 13 years at the helm.
Ballardini had replaced Giu-seppe Iachini, who had survived for two years making him the longest-serving coach under Zamparini.
Alliance to defend financial rights
South America’s top soccer clubs created an alliance to defend their financial interests in the distribution of broadcast revenues by the region’s soccer confederation, CONMEBOL.
Representatives of the 15 clubs from Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay met in Montevideo this week and demanded that CONMEBOL call an extraordinary executive committee to meet with them about their concerns.
The clubs are currently set to receive an increase of 40 per cent of revenue from the rights to the Libertadores Cup that starts next month, while CONMEBOL should see an increase above 250 per cent.
Pep apologises for speculation
Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has apologised for putting some of his Premier League counterparts under pressure by announcing an intention to trade Germany for England at the end of the season.
Guardiola fuelled speculation over his eventual destination last month when he confirmed he would not extend his contract at Munich with the Spaniard revealing he had received “offers” from England.
The statement sparked talk over whether Guardiola was being lined up to take over at one of the perennial Premier League top four sides – Man. City, Man. United, Arsenal or Chelsea.
Guardiola yesterday apologised for any perceived lack of respect to managers in England.
“I’m sorry. It was not my intention to offend anybody. Normally in my career like a trainer, a football player I respect a lot my colleagues,” he told reporters.
Shelvey completes Newcastle move
Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has completed his move to Newcastle after signing a five-and-a-half-year deal.
The 23-year-old England international put pen to paper for an undisclosed fee understood to be in the region of £12 million after travelling to Tyneside for a medical and talks yesterday.
Shelvey is the club’s second new signing in 24 hours following the arrival of Henri Saivet from Bordeaux, also on a long-term deal.
Leroy Sane not leaving Schalke
Schalke dismissed reports that their talented 20-year-old attacking midfielder Leroy Sane has a buy-out clause in his contract that could allow him to move this year against their will.
Sane, whose contract runs to 2017, has been this season’s Bundesliga revelation, scoring four goals and setting up another four as his form carried him all the way to the German national team and his first senior cap last year.
He needed 31 league matches – including 17 this season – to achieve this, and Schalke have repeatedly said they are not planning to release the player.
“There is no buy-out clause in force for Sane, neither for this winter nor for the summer,” Schalke sports director Horst Heldt said.